Top Causes of Nasal Obstruction — and When to See an ENT Specialist

Feeling constantly congested or being unable to breathe properly through your nose isn’t normal, and in many cases, nasal obstruction is the culprit. Learn more about what causes an obstruction and what you can do about it here. 

A blocked nose can affect your entire body. It can cause you to snore, sleep poorly, breathe through your mouth, and wake up with a dry throat. You might get dizzy when you exercise, feel tired even after a full night’s sleep, or get frequent sinus infections.

Nasal obstruction, no matter how mild, can take a toll on your quality of life. The tricky part is that it’s not always caused by one thing. Sometimes it’s allergies or a lingering cold, other times, it’s a structural issue inside your nose that only a specialist can diagnose and fix.

While you can treat some causes easily, others need more specialized care. Seeing a trusted ENT to help you get to the bottom of the problem will save you months of guesswork and only treating your symptoms. Mani Zadeh, MD, specializes in diagnosing what’s behind your nasal obstruction and recommending the most effective treatment for you.

The most common reasons your nose feels blocked

Here are the most common causes of a nasal obstruction, and what they mean for your breathing.

A deviated septum

Inside your nose is a thin wall called the septum that separates your nostrils. When it’s bent or crooked, one side of the nose becomes narrower, making it harder for air to pass through. In more severe cases, a deviated septum can cause snoring, frequent sinus infections, and headaches. 

A septoplasty, a procedure that reshapes the septum and restores airflow, is the most effective way to fix it.

Swollen turbinates

Turbinates are small, soft structures inside the nose that help filter and humidify the air you breathe. But when they’re constantly swollen from allergies, irritants, or overuse of nasal sprays, they can block airflow and cause that permanent stuffy nose feeling.

Mild cases respond well to medication or nasal sprays, but when swelling doesn’t go down, a simple procedure to reduce their size can make a huge difference.

Allergies

Allergies are one of the most common causes of nasal obstruction. Pollen, dust, pet dander, or mold can all trigger inflammation in your nasal passages. You might notice seasonal flare-ups or year-round congestion depending on your environment.

If you’re taking over-the-counter allergy medicine without much relief, you may need allergy testing or prescription therapy to target what’s really causing the inflammation.

Chronic sinusitis

If you’ve been congested for weeks or months, experience facial pressure, have thick drainage, or have a poor sense of smell, chronic sinus inflammation could be the problem. Over time, this swelling can completely block the nasal passages or cause soft-tissue growths called polyps.

In these cases, medical treatment can help, but long-term relief often comes from a minimally invasive sinus procedure to open the blocked pathways.

Nasal valve collapse

The nasal valve is the narrowest part of your nasal airway. If it weakens with age or from injury, the sides of your nose can collapse slightly when you breathe, especially during exercise or when taking deep breaths. It can make you feel like your nose closes up when you inhale. 

There are surgical and nonsurgical ways to fix this, and Dr. Zadeh can tell you which option fits best.

When to stop guessing and see a specialist

If you’ve been using nasal sprays, decongestants, or allergy meds for more than a few weeks without consistent relief, it’s time to see an ENT. You should also book a visit if:

• You can’t breathe clearly through one side of your nose
• You have frequent sinus infections
• You snore loudly or wake up gasping for air
• You constantly breathe through your mouth
• You’ve lost your sense of smell or taste

These are all signs that something more serious may be going on, and the sooner it’s diagnosed, the easier it is to treat.

Because the causes of nasal obstruction are varied — structural, inflammatory, or infectious — seeing Dr. Zadeh is the best way to identify the root of the problem and find an effective, long-lasting solution. Schedule a consultation with him today.